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Friday, November 22, 2024

Dear Friends,

 

As I write this we are awaiting the delivery of Christmas trees and the Merrie Christmas Fair is setting up. The pace quickens and the holidays are in sight!       


This Sunday we will remember those who took dangerous journeys to find a home in Massachusetts -- the Pilgrims but also many others who came soon after their arrival -- the "Word for All Ages" will feature Coming to America, The Story of Immigration by Betsy Maestro. She traces the story of immigration from the first nomads who came thousands of years ago to those who came only yesterday. In her words, "Immigrants have made the music of this land, written its books, and recorded its beauty in art. . . The spirit of America is the spirit of its people, immigrants all, and their children."  


As we give thanks for the various journeys that led us to this place, we will bring our gifts and pledges in thanksgiving for the church that received us and gave us a home and welcomed us into its ministry.


So, come you, thankful people come! Join us this Sunday for worship at 9:30.

 

Blessings, Jill 

Worship

Sunday, November 24th, 2024 at 9:30 am

In person at UCCB also via Zoom


Bulletin


Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88306753408?pwd=V1gwZUtYL05JeVU2WklHWGtUWExGdz09  

Meeting ID: 883 0675 3408 Passcode: 7387

 

Please note: our worship services are streamed live via Zoom and recorded for posting on Facebook and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh1ayswOH7Ta7LYVK-BcAyA).

 

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SERMON SHAPING or TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY RESUMES


SERMON SHAPING or TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY

On Tuesdays at 10am, you are invited to a lively and

far-ranging conversation with the Pastors on the scripture for the coming Sunday.

 

On Tuesday, Nov 26, we will NOT meet.


The meeting opens at 9:45 for visiting. Please join us. The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81402428901 Passcode: 7387

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Sunday November 24, Come Early to hear music to celebrate Thanksgiving Season - 9:23am! Note from the Organist:


Today I have picked some music appropriate for a Thanksgiving observance. The prelude and the postlude are both "Now Thank We All Our God" from Cantata No. 79 by Johann Sebastian Bach. Although based on the same piece, the two arrangements are different. The one I like is the one being used as the prelude. 

If you'd like to hear it you need to arrive a little earlier since it lasts about five and a half minutes and I will start it at 9:23ish.  For the postlude I am using an arrangement by Claude Means to show the contrast between the two arrangers.  - Joe Camara

Christmas Tree Sale begins the weekend of November 22nd.

Select a freshly cut tree from Nova Scotia for your home.


Saturday, Dec 7, 7:30pm – Bluegrass Christmas Concert


ADVENT BEGINS



Dec 01   First Sunday of Advent   HOPE   Rev. Richard Edens preaching

Dec 08   Second Sunday of Advent  PEACE   Rev. Dr. Jill Edens preaching

 After worship with Liz Rust from the Concord Prison Outreach

  Longest Night Service on Wednesday, December 11, 7pm       

Dec 15   Third Sunday of Advent  JOY            Rev. Richard Edens preaching

     Advent Music Sunday with the Senior Choir and the Ding-a-Ring Choir

    Cookie Swap after worship

Dec 22    Fourth Sunday of Advent LOVE          Rev. Dr. Jill Edens preaching

        Senior Choir and the Sounds of Peace

Dec 24   Christmas Eve, 7pm

Dec. 29  1st Sunday after Christmas

Jan 05     Epiphany observed this Sunday  Rev. Catherine Michael preaching

                                                 Magi arrive 

Generosity 2025


As we kicked off this year’s generosity season, we saw sidewalk chalk messages of welcome outside the church, messages provided by the youth the prior week. Then Catherine Michael inspired us to look around and see our brothers and sisters in Christ, reflected on those who welcomed her eleven years ago, and asked us to imagine together how a church full of faithful people can work together to make God’s love real in the world, here at home and in places far, far away. And then we enjoyed a quiche luncheon celebrating the saints who have come before us in this community of faith. What beautiful time we shared – thank you. 


On the second Sunday of this generosity season, we heard from Ron Vogel as he shared his history with UCCB, emphasizing the central role this congregation has played in his family’s life over the years. He articulated how both he and Mary Anne contribute to this community in so many ways – with their time, energy and financial commitment. Beautiful. 

 

On the third Sunday of this generosity season, Tineke Vandegrift shared with us remembrances of a Christmas Eve service long ago when a small group of caring people created a circle of light around her and her son and joined together for an intimate singing of Silent Night together. This was the first of many moments when she witnessed this church bringing a welcoming circle of Light, God’s Light, into this community and across the world. She invited us to imagine how we can continue to grow this circle of God’s Light in a way that nourishes us and brings us joy. 

 

The spiritual practice of generosity arises from imagining all that God calls us to do as a community. Our donations to our congregation make it possible to turn what we imagine into a reality. Through our annual commitments to our congregation, we imagine together all that we can do. Whether you are someone who has pledged annually in the past or are new to this practice, we invite you to consider how you may contribute financially to UCC Boxborough to keep our lights on in this corner of the world and continue to invest in our community.  

 

We will receive and celebrate our gifts and pledges during Sunday morning worship on November 24, the day after our joyful community event – the Merrie Christmas Fair! Blank pledge forms will be available at church if you are not locating a “2025 Generosity Pledge Campaign” email from ~November 1st.  Thank you!

 

Yours in faith,

Generosity Ministry Team: Jeff Glidden, Kellie Senghas, Rev. Dr. Jill Edens and Rev. Richard Edens

Online Silent Auction


https://www.BiddingForGoodcom/UCCBSilentAuction

8 AM on November 13 through 6 PM on November 23



If you would like to check out the handmade items in person, stop by the

church November 23, 2024 and join us as The Merrie Christmas Fair!

Huge thanks to all our donors for their wonderful gifts to the Silent Auction!

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CHRISTMAS STARS 2024

Only eight stars left out of twenty five!! Thank you to so many who have already matched up to cheer up a child or adolescent with toys, clothing and gift cards arranged by Framingham Children and Family Services. Look in the Gathering room for an in-person tree covered with remaining stars that describe each child and their requests. To get a match without coming to the church, Darcy can also be contacted directly and collect a “star match” for you and relay the info via email. Shop and place unwrapped gifts in a large bag/box with your star’s #/name in the Gathering room by Sunday Dec 11 (or sooner). Any questions? Contact Darcy Sidwell darcysidwell@gmail.com

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AB Family Network December Dinner Cancelled



We’re sorry to have to report that the ABFN Family Dinner, which was to have taken place at UCCB in December, has been canceled.

There was not enough time for the organizers to meet the necessary permitting requirements. The good news is that UCCB has established a connection with AB Family Network, which we hope to nurture into the future. Keep checking this space for updates!

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AB Resource Center Needs You! Clothing Sorts, Tuesdays 10am



Are you free on Tuesday mornings, and would you like to do something to make a positive impact on our community? Then drop by the AB Resource Center at 15 Charter Road in Acton to sort clothing donations. Pina Madera, Volunteer Manager for the AB United Way, issued this open invitation: “I am excited to offer this open invitation to come join us at the Resource Center when we will be regularly running clothing sorts..

Every Tuesday morning from 10-12.

Put us on your calendar and come on down any week if you find you have an hour or two to join in the fast-action fun. Know that if it is Tuesday, we are sorting, and you are welcome to join!

Our donations are coming in gangbusters from generous donors and flying off the shelves as we see an uptick in both donated goods and client visits. We process about 70 bags of donations weekly, and this week we are on track to serve more than 20 families. There is a ton of activity!”

The AB Resource Center is also in need of donations. Please check out their website for a list of needed items and directions to the Center. Thank you!

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Honoring Eleanor Voorhies with Donation to Undue Medical Debt

For the sixth year in a row, the Faith in Action Ministry Team will be directing the proceeds from the Eleanor Voorhies endowment to support the efforts of

Undue Medical Debt (formerly RIP Medical Debt). We make this contribution to honor Eleanor each November on her birthday, November 17. We’re sure that Eleanor would approve of this use of her bequest. Undue Medical Debt was founded by two former debt collection executives. Their idea was to use donations to buy large bundles of medical debt at a steep discount from collection agencies, then forgive the debt. Recipients receive letters that their debt has been canceled, with no tax consequences or penalties. Since its inception in 2014, the organization has erased more than $14 billion of medical debt.

Eleanor Voorhies was a longtime member of UCCB with a long and distinguished career in nursing and public health. More information about Eleanor’s life and work is available in the November issue of the Vestry News.

If you would like to contribute to Undue Medical Debt in honor of this remarkable woman, we will be accepting contributions throughout the month of November. Each dollar you donate buys approximately $100 of medical debt! Checks may be sent to the church, payable to UCCB. Please put “Undue Medical Debt” in the memo line. Alternatively, visit UCCB’s Giving page . Click the “Donate” button, and in the Special Collections section indicate the amount and put “Undue Medical Debt” in the memo.

Thank you for your generosity! 

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 Please Support CPO Holiday Gift Bag Project

 

“My name is [...] and I’m locked up in Shirley Max. Doing time is very hard during the holidays…but receiving this Christmas bag made my day…I’ve been locked up since 18, I’m about to be 25 and my family disappeared slowly so receiving this gift was a blessing. Thank you and everyone who had a part [in] giving us a good Christmas. God Bless.”

 

Concord Prison Outreach (CPO) maintains a binder filled with thank you notes like this one from grateful recipients of CPO’s Holiday Gift Bags. This year, more than 2300 incarcerated people in Shirley, Framingham, Concord, and Gardner will receive gift bags containing toiletry and other items; CPO relies solely on contributions to cover the $35,000 cost. If you are able, would you consider, making a donation, to CPO this Christmas?


A contribution of $14 would cover the cost of one gift bag, but donations in any amount would be greatly appreciated. Faith in Action will be collecting donations throughout the month of December. Checks may be sent to the church, payable to UCCB. Please put “CPO” in the memo line. 

Alternatively, visit UCCB’s Giving page . Click the “Donate” button, and in the Special Collections section indicate the amount and put “CPO” in the memo. Thank you for your generosity!

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Ornament Table

 

The Merrie Christmas Fair is fast approaching and final touches are being made on a variety of Christmas ornaments & decorations. We appreciate everyone who has been making ornaments and decorations at home over the last few months.

We are seeking people to help work at our table to sell ornaments for an hour or two during the day of the Fair between 9:00-1:00. Please let us know. Any questions, contact either Gloria Roe 978-502-9625 / gloria.a.roe@gmail.com or Connie Brown 978-391-4854/ conniebrownbcmc@comcast.net, Linda Morse 978-266-2836/ kcmorse@verizon.net.


Please help us fill the Bake Table!

To all bakers! Once again we welcome homemade cookies, bars, pies, cakes, tea breads,fudge, cake pops, etc. Please kindly label your items and note if they contain nuts, are soy or gluten free, etc. If possible, please drop off in the morning of November 23rd by 8:45 am. Contact Suzanne Boyden at: sueboyden54@gmail.com


Sugar Plum Cafe

Look for the signup for goods/food for the Sugar Plum cafe or contact Deb Simmons at dlrmcgrath@comcast.net or 508-439-2891



Knits and Gifts

There is a basket in the vestry for completed projects or contact Marlee Roberts. 


We need your help filling the BAKE TABLE!

You can help by baking and freezing those yummy cookies, pies, cakes, tea breads, etc. Remember to label your items and note if they contain nuts, or are soy or gluten free. Please drop off the night before or early 8:45am fair day. Contact Suzanne Boyden sueboyden54@gmail.com

 

Jewelry Donations accepted!

Any donations are much appreciated. There is a basket in the gathering room. Please call Mary Rohwer (978-621-9705) or Dianne Jaworski (978-263-0762) for pickup or with any questions..

 

Attic Treasures

Save those treasures in good, clean working condition! Ideally drop them off starting Thursday Nov 21 at Town Hall. Ideally, hold onto your items until Thursday, November 21 st for drop-off from 5-8 at the Town Hall or Friday from noon-5:00.Any gasoline powered equipment or other items that give off fumes must be left outside, near the back door of the Community Center or by contacting Kellie Senghas at ktsenghas@gmail.com


We take: household goods, kitchenware, small appliances, electronics, toys, games, sporting goods, linens, office supplies/equipment, tools, luggage. We cannot take: clothing, shoes, curtain hardware, used pet items, medical equipment.

Want to learn more... click the links below!

 

Vestry Newsletters    Church Calendar

Visit Our Website    Join Our Mailing List


Or send us an email:


Revs. Jill & Richard Edens - uccbpastor@gmail.com

Church office - boxborochurch@verizon.net

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